In addition to providing a service for the applicant, Examiners assigned to an award application receive an extraordinary learning experience – especially when a site visit is conducted. Examiner service for the Award Program, SPQA’s premier program, is an important aspect of Virginia SPQA’s mission. To ensure the best assessment of applications, Examiner Teams are diverse; comprised of new and experienced Examiners and Examiners from different business sectors and backgrounds. Examiners are exposed to a myriad of knowledge and experiences. Examiner team size varies for this Program, but normally ranges from five to eight individuals.
Examiners receive training in the Baldrige Performance Excellence Framework and the Criteria for Performance Excellence, as well as training in how to use the Criteria as the basis for evaluating applications in the Award Program and self-assessments in the Discovery Program. Examiners can take this learning experience and become performance excellence champions within their own organizations. Many organizations have found it very valuable to have staff trained as examiners to assist their journey to performance excellence.
Criteria Training Requirements
All individuals who apply to become an Examiner for the first time, and/or renew their Examiner status, are expected to have Criteria Training within two years of the application and renewal period. This requirement can be met either by attending Virginia SPQA’s classes, offered at a modest cost and conducted regionally throughout the year, or through a comparable training program. Examiner service with the National or other State program also qualifies as meeting the criteria requirement.
An entry level for the examiner’s body of work and for those that do not think they can commit to the full award process. Examiners at the experience level receive full training with the award examiners and continue throughindependent review. Training is in January and independent review is in February. Experience level examiners leave the program after independent review and are not eligible for the Board of Examiners.
Complete an Independent Review, which includes identifying Key Factors, writing observations and evidence for all categories, developing consensus feedback comments for your assigned category, participation in applicant site visit, and preparation of final feedback report. Examiners participate on Award and Discovery Teams.
Award Examiners with two or more cycles of experience are eligible to become mentors in the Pathways to Excellence Program. The role of a mentor is to assist applicant organizations with the Interest, Commitment, and Discovery levels of Pathways. Applicants may facilitate organizations to complete an organizational profile, use results from Baldrige self-assessment tools to identify performance improvements, and to complete a Discovery application. A time commitment is identified when a potential applicant completes a Service Agreement with SPQA.
I served in previous years for SPQA, Baldrige or other State programs.
